PCP Production in Today’s Economy

The impact of current economic conditions on PCB production at Advanced Circuits

PCB – Printed Circuit Boards Overview

The current economic situation is driving some dramatic changes for the manufacturers of PCBs (printed circuits boards), their customers and consumers. PCB manufacturers that can maintain a lower level of costs will be positioned much more favorably than those who can not. It isn’t any different at Advanced Circuits. Costs of producing PCBS as well as the products they support are rising against poor market forecasts for all types of electronic equipment and consumer products. One of the ways to help hold the line is to increase quality yields throughout the PCB production process. Advanced Circuits has implemented new programs with the intent of reducing costs throughout the facility while at the same time maintaining ongoing high quality standards. One of those is a reject reduction program.

PCB “Leaner and Meaner Production Processing

With today’s turbulent economic conditions, fewer PCB customers are buying smaller numbers of printed circuit boards and expecting rock bottom pricing to help see them through the economic slow down. To meet customers’ requirements, all of the production departments at Advanced Circuits are being challenged to reduce the number of rejects and/or restarts associated with their processes. Being able to run “leaner and meaner” production processing is one factor in enabling circuit board manufacturers to maintain their customer base by helping them reduce costs and maintain their competitiveness. By holding the line on yields some of the fabrication costs can be reduced.

PCB Production Process Yield Audits

Smaller numbers of orders on the floor usually translate to a certain amount of “slack time” for operators and equipment. One way to take advantage of that is to audit processes and operators. Process engineers and area supervisors at Advanced Circuits are evaluating process yields more intently so that improvements can be made that will contribute to higher efficiency levels. Revisions to procedures, process adjustments and concentrated monitoring the results are helping drive down costs at Advanced Circuits. Marginal yields can be analyzed and adjustments to process parameters can be made that will improve the quality of product.

Operator training and auditing to process procedures is another way to confirm that the pcb’s being produced are of optimum quality. Unique in the industry, Advanced Circuits is using its established training program and monthly training requirements to assure that operators understand their processes and their work instructions. Cross training employees and certifying them to various processes has brought more flexibility to Advanced Circuits’ manufacturing floor. Reducing the number of overtime hours and getting the most out of each employee throughout each workday can do a lot to reduce labor costs.

PCP 99% Early Shipping Record in 2009

Keeping reject levels as low as possible help reduce the amount of raw materials, chemistry and even energy being used to produce an order of pcbs. Additionally, low reject levels and higher yields equate to more orders being shipped complete which keeps customers happy and coming back for more. Back orders and late deliveries are unacceptable to customers, particularly since many are dealing with time-sensitive schedules and appreciate Advanced Circuits on-time or early shipping record that exceeds 99% year to date.

For more information on PCB production at Advanced Circuits, visit http://www.4pcb.com/pcb/, or call 800-979-4PCB (4722).

PCB – More Information – Click Here

Company Contact Information:

Advanced Circuits
21101 E. 32nd Parkway,
Aurora, CO 80011
1-800-979-4PCB (4722)
(303) 576-6610